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The White Mountains are located in the east-central region of Arizona and are a small range on the Mogollon Rim. The rim and the White Mountains are a year-round playground for people who love the outdoors. You can hike for miles on hundreds of trails, ski in the winter, bicycle on Forest Service roads, and stay in RV parks with immediate access to all that the White Mountains have to offer.

Geography

The White Mountains have the second highest peak in Arizona with an elevation of 11,470 feet at the top of Mount Baldy. The area has lakes, rivers and streams. The most significant river in Arizona, the Colorado, is fed by a tributary, the Little Colorado, which flows through the White Mountains. The towns of Lakeside and Pinetop are considered the gateway to this mountain range. RV parks are located throughout the White Mountains where you can spend time outdoors running and hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Types

RV campers can choose between public campgrounds with a minimum of services or private RV parks with amenities such as clubhouses and convenience stores, although most just offer hookups for electricity, water and sewer. The public RV parks are operated by the state. The public parks have a 14-day stay limit, and the private parks have no restrictions on the length of stay. RV campers in the public campgrounds will have to share the grounds with people in tents, and you can only run a generator between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Features

You can probably count on getting wireless Internet at the private RV parks, laundry rooms, showers and toilets. There is a small RV park at Sunrise Ski Resort with 20 spaces that have electricity but no water. Sunrise Ski Resort is the only downhill ski resort in the White Mountains. Sunrise is close to the area's largest lake, Big Lake, where you can fish or swim. Big Lake has one of the largest campgrounds in the White Mountains and permits all types of camping. A small store near the campground carries groceries and other necessities. You can get a fishing license at Big Lake. Besides fishing and boating, there are many trails close to Big Lake for day hikes or backpacking trips.

Considerations

The White Mountains are an especially popular area in eastern Arizona, especially on holiday weekends. These mountains are close enough to Phoenix and Tucson to attract many visitors escaping the heat. Reservations for all the RV parks and campgrounds can be made to ensure that your spot is waiting for you. Many of the private RV campgrounds in the White Mountains are open year-round, so you can enjoy camping in your RV in the fall when the colors on the aspen trees are vivid. The cross-country skiing in the area can be good throughout this region, starting at Pinetop-Lakeside as far east as Alpine.

Warnings

The White Mountains can experience long dry spells that create dangerous fire hazards in the woods. The state often puts fire restrictions in place, prohibiting outdoor smoking and the use of charcoal grills. Campfires might not be allowed anywhere, and the state has been known to close entire forests until the monsoon starts in mid-June, when summer rains start. These afternoon storms have intense lightening associated with them. If you plan to be active outdoors in the summer, bring along a rain slicker and head for shelter if you hear thunder or see dark clouds developing. Bears and coyotes populate the White Mountains. Make sure you keep your small pets indoors at night and your food in a sturdy container.

References

About the Author

Jackie Johnson is a published writer and professional blogger, and has a degree in English from Arizona State University. Her background in real estate analysis prepared her for objective thinking, researching and writing.